Obama Applauds Deal on Gun Sales Background Checks

President Barack Obama is welcoming a bipartisan deal in the Senate to expand background checks for gun sales.

Obama says it's not his bill and he wishes parts of it were stronger. But he says it represents significant progress and if enacted would make it harder for dangerous people to obtain guns.

Two key senators announced earlier Wednesday they'd reached a bipartisan agreement on background checks, improving prospects for gun control legislation that Obama has been pushing. Senators plan to hold an initial vote Thursday to begin debating gun legislation.

Obama says there is a lot of work remaining to enact gun control measures, including getting them through the Republican-controlled House. He's calling on senators not to block consideration of the bill and for Americans to stay engaged.